Pep Guardiola looks all set to deliver Manchester City's fifth Premier League in the last nine seasons this year, despite playing without a natural focal point to their attack in just over 50% of their games. With Sergio Aguero barely seeing a Premier League pitch these days and with Gabriel Jesus struggling to mount any consistent form, it is an area Guardiola will likely try and address this summer.
One name in particular, which stands out in this sense: Erling Haaland. The Norwegian’s father, Alfe-Inge Haaland, used to play for City in their Maine Road days and his son Erling was born whilst he was playing for Leeds United, meaning the 20-year-old spent the first four years of his life in England.
The Borussia Dortmund centre-forward is arguably the most sought after player in Europe at the moment, only Robert Lewandowski outscoring him once again. The Norweigan attacker could be at the centre of a transfer tug of war this summer, however, with City's financial flexibility, they might have the pulling power to land the prolific striker.
Another player City and Guardiola could look to land is Barcelona's Lionel Messi, in what would be the biggest free transfer in football history. The Argentine has voiced his discontent over the last year at the Nou Camp and as his contract runs out this summer with no movement on a new deal, it’s pretty much guaranteed this is Messi’s final season at Barca, 17 years after his debut.
With Guardiola having guided Messi to become the greatest in the world all those years ago, it all seems to add up for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner to join City.